LG's GW620 And BL40 Movie Phones Now On Sale

When you think "smartphone," names like Nokia, Apple and maybe even HTC come to mind. But LG? Believe it or not, LG is making a serious play to become a serious contender in the smartphone space, and the company's GW620 is definitely a powerhouse that'll get it on the map. Just 1.5 months after it was announced, the company's first Android-powered handset is now on sale in select countries.

This model is also LG's first DivX-certified Android phone, enabling it to play back DivX media clips without any extra software or hassle. And look, with a 3" (480x320) display, it's hard to argue that this thing is a great multimedia phone. Starting today, it's shipping in both North America and Europe, though exact pricing isn't available.

In related news, the latest phone in the LG Black Label Series is also shipping today in Europe and the Middle East, while worldwide availability is scheduled to happen before the end of the year. If you'll recall, the BL40 is a really unique beast. It sports a 4" display with a 21:9 aspect ratio, making it the most cinema-friendly phone in the world. So, who's bringing the popcorn?

First DivX Certified(R) LG Android Smartphone and New LG Chocolate Mobile Phone Now Available in Selected Countries

DivX
technology produces highly compressed video that requires minimal
storage for the highest quality media experience on a mobile platform.
In fact, a standard definition movie can be compressed into just 1GB
using DivX technology; a size that can easily be stored on a mobile
phone for viewing anytime, anywhere.

The
LG GW620 is LG's first Android-powered smartphone. Consumers can watch
DivX videos on its 3-inch, 320x480 resolution touch screen. It is
currently available in North America and Europe. The new LG Chocolate
is the fourth handset of the LG Black Label Series. It includes a
4-inch wide screen with a 21:9 aspect ratio for a panoramic,
cinema-like quality viewing experience in the high-quality DivX format.
The new LG Chocolate made its official debut in the U.K. in September
and is currently available throughout Europe and the Middle East. It is
scheduled for full worldwide release by the end of the year.

"LG
products populate the DivX ecosystem," said Kevin Hell, Chief Executive
Officer, DivX, Inc. "We're pleased to deliver DivX capabilities to LG's
first Android phone and the new LG Chocolate, extending a partnership
that provides consumers with the freedom to watch high-quality video on
any DivX Certified device, whenever and wherever they want."

LG
is the third largest cell phone company in the world. The LG GW620 and
the new LG Chocolate phone join the LG Viewty and the LG Secret as part
of the DivX ecosystem, which now includes more than 200 million DivX
devices shipped into the market worldwide. With so many DivX devices
available to choose from, it's simple for consumers to view their
favorite videos on a DivX Certified device of their choice from a
variety of manufacturers, whether it's a mobile phone, digital TV or
portable DVD player.

Products
that bear the DivX Certified logo have undergone a rigorous testing
program to ensure a high-quality DivX media experience, including
reliable video creation and playback, interoperability with other DivX
Certified devices and the visual quality users expect from DivX.

DivX,
Inc. is a leading digital media company that enables consumers to enjoy
a high-quality video experience across any kind of device. DivX
creates, distributes and licenses digital video technologies that span
the "three screens" comprising today's consumer media environment--the
PC, the television and mobile devices. Over 200 million DivX devices
have shipped into the market from leading consumer electronics
manufacturers. DivX also offers content providers and publishers a
complete solution for the distribution of secure, high-quality digital
video content. Driven by a globally recognized brand and a passionate
community of hundreds of millions of consumers, DivX is simplifying the
video experience to enable the digital home.